Web transferring mechanism and take-up



Sept. 3 1935. R. H. LAWSON El AL I WEB TRANSFERRING MECHANISM ANDTAKE-UP Filed Jan. 30, 1931 8 Sheets-Sheet 3 ATTX L wanrons; P055127 HLAWSOM A zrc; USTIN' GA 4 mllmlin- Sept. 3, 1935. R. H. LAWSON El AL2,013,553

WEB TRANSFERRING MECHANISM AND TAKE-UP Filed Jan. 30, 1931 8Sheets-Sheet 4 INvENTaRs: Ra BERTH LAWSOAC Avazrsrzzsr aA HvE, By a? 017ATT y Sept. 3, 1935.

R. H. LAWSON El AL WEB TRANSFERRING MECHANISM AND TAKE-UP Filed Jan. 30,1931 a Shets-Sheet 5 INVENTORS' RaBEveT HT LAWSON; Ava USTJM HI /NE, By22 ATTY.

Se t. 3, 1935. LAWSON ET AL 2,013,563

WEB TRANSFERRING MECHANISM AND TAKE-UP Filed Jan. 30, 1931 8Sheets-Sheet 6 FIG.1 7.

[NVEN TOR ,s': B05212? H. LAWSMV, Am: US'TIN a4 agws,

Sept. 3, 1935. R. H. LAWSON ET AL 3 WEB TRANSFEZ'IRRING MECHANISM ANDTAKE-UP Filed Jan. 30, 1931 8 Sheets-Sheet 8 Patented Sept. 3, 1935 WEBTRANSFERRING MECHANISM AND TAKE-UP Robert H. Lawson, Pawtucket, andAugustin Gagn, Central Falls, It. 1., assignors to Hemphill Company,Central Falls, R. 1., a corporation of Massachusetts Application January30, 1931, Serial No. 512,386

13 Claims. (01. 66-148) This invention relates to a new and improvedmechanism for transferring tops to half hose or other stockings whichmechanism includes fabric take-up means although the latter may be usedalone, i. e., not in combination with the other elements constitutingthe transfer mechanism. As herein shown the transfer means is used inconnection with a machine of the Hanner type similar to the machinedisclosed in the patent to Hemphill 933,443, September 7, 1909.

In the drawings:

Fig. 1 is a view in vertical, front elevation of a knitting machineshowing the transfer means in position to transfer stitches to theraised needles, and including a grab take-up within the needle cylinderto engage a rib top and assist in the transfer of the rib top to theneedles;

Fig. 2 is a detail enlarged view showing the relation between a transferpoint or quill and its needle when a stitch is about to be transferredfrom the transfer point to the needle;

Fig. 3 is a view showing a portion only of the mechanism shown in Fig.1, but upon an enlarged scale, partly in section and with the transferring in the position it occupies either just before the stitches are tobe transferred to the needles or just after the stitches have beentransferred thereto;

Fig. 4 is a plan view of the mechanism shown in Fig. 3;

Fig. 5 is a view of a detail in section;

Fig. 6 is a view similar to Fig. 3, but showing another phase of thecycle of operations;

Fig. '7 is a plan view of the parts shown in Fig-6;

Fig. 8 is a fragmentary view, upon an enlarged scale, of a detail shownin Figs. 3, 4, 6 and 7;

Fig. 9 is a view similar to Fig. 3, but showing a modification;

Fig. 10 is a plan view of the modification shown in Fig. 9;

Figs. 11, 12, 13 and 14 are fragmentary detail views of themodificaticnshown in Figs. 9 and 10; Fig. 15 is a view in front elevation showingthe frame of a knitting machine, the needle cylinder in section, and thegrab take-up in engagement with a transferred rib top;

Fig. 16 is a view in side elevation of the mechanism shown in Fig. 15;

Fig. 1'7 is a plan view of a detail;

Fig. 18 is an enlarged view, partly in section, showing a detail.

Fig. 19 is an enlarged view showing a portion of the mechanism shown inFig. 15 but showing the position of the parts after the rib top has beentransferred and the leg is being knitted;

Fig. 20 is a view similar to Fig. 15 but showing the grab take-up in theposition it occupies at the completion of the knitting of a stocking;

Fig. 21 is a plan view of the grab take-up showing the same in theposition shown in Fig. 15

Fig. 22 is an enlarged detail view showing the jaws or clamps, forengaging the fabric, in an open position such as that shown in Fig. 20;

Fig. 23 is a view similar to Fig. 22 but showing the grab take-up in theposition shown in Fig. 21;

Fig. 24 is a fragmentary view of a detail, in section; and

Fig. 25 is a view in section taken along the line 25-25, Fig. 22.

The knitting machine includes any suitable form of needle cylinder 1,preferably of the rotary type, mounted within the circular base 2 whichcarries any suitable form of driving means for. imparting rotarymovements to the said needle cylinder.

The transfer mechanism includes a bracket 3 provided with elongatedslots 3. The bracket 3 is adjustably mounted upon the circular base 2 bymeans of screws or bolts 4 which pass through the slots 3 and intoengagement with the circular base 2. The transfer mechanism includes atransfer or quill ring 5, which is mounted in and carried by a bracket5' and has angularly disposed therein in the usual manner, as shown inFig. 2, transfer points or quills 6. The transfer points 6 are more orless cup shaped in cross section as indicated in Fig. 2, and midway oftheir lengths are provided with shoulders I which act as seats or stopsfor the stitches 8 which are tov be transferred 1 to the needles 9 whichare of the pivoted latch type, one of the needles being shown in Fig. 2.The specific constructions of the transfer ring and points 6 are notnecessarily a part of the present invention and will not be described indetail.

When the stitches have been transferred to the needles by the transferpoints 6 moving downwardly to the position indicated by a single needlein Fig. 2, transfer ring 5 is elevated from the position shown in Figs.1 and 2 to a position slightly above the needle tops such as that shownin Fig. 3 and this upward movement of the transfer ring 5 isautomatically accomplished when the operator takes his or her foot off apedal l0, whereupon a coil spring ll elevates the transfer ring 5 to theposition shown in Fig. 8.

The pedal I0 is pivoted as at I2 to a split sleeve or collar l3 which isadjustably retained lengthwise of a rod M as by means of a set screw l5.The rod I4 is in turn adjustably mounted in an angle bracket i6 whichdepends from and is secured to the underside of the machine frame as byscrews II, the rod |4 being adjustably mounted in the bracket l6 bypassing axially through asleeve |8 carried by the said bracket andadjustably retained in position by means of a set screw l9. The sleevel8 terminates in a plate 2|! to which is secured a basket or stockingretainer 2|. Adjustably passing through the pedal ill or to a memberconnected thereto is a two-part wire or other link 22 which is retainedin adjusted position as by means of a set screw 23. The two parts of thelink 22 both adjustably pass through holes provided in a bushing or link24, the said two parts of the link 22 being adjustably retained inposition as by means of set screws 25 and 26. The upper end of the link22 is hook shaped and is interengaged with a companion hook 21 whichscrews into and is made part of a sliding rod 28 passing axially throughan elongated sleeve or boss 29 which depends from and forms part ofbracket 3. To the upper end of the rod 28 is made fast a bracket 30 asby means of a setscrew 3| (Fig. 3). The coil spring bears at one endupon the upper surface 32 of a boss 33 which upstands from and formspart of plate 3 and at its other end bears against the underside of thebracket 30, whereby when the operator releases or removes a foot fromthe pedal i0 the spring expands and elevates the bracket 38 whichcarries the transfer ring 5, the upward movement of bracket 38 beinglimited by a collar 34, fast to rod 28, engaging the lower face of boss29.

The transfer ring 5 is provided with an operating handle 35 by means ofwhich the said transfer ring may be rotated on a horizontal axis andalso on a vertical axis. Adjacent to the handle 35 is an arm 36 whichforms part of the transfer ring, the arm being secured to a horizontallydisposed shaft 31 as by means of a set screw 38. The shaft 31 isprevented from moving through the arm 36 by means of a collar 39 whichis integral with the shaft 31 and abuts one face of the depending arm36, while abutting the other face of the arm 36 is a washer 46 held inplace against said face by means of a nut 4| which threadedly engages areduced and threaded end (not shown), of the shaft 31. The shaft 3'! isreceived within a sleeve 42,. which is integral with or is otherwiseconnected to and forms part of bracket 30. The sleeve 42 provides abearing for the shaft 31 which is prevented from moving lengthwise ofthe said sleeve or bearing 42 by means of the aforesaid collar 39 beingseated against one end of said sleeve and a washer 43 which is seatedagainstthe other end of the 'sleeve and fastened to the shaft 31 bymeans of a set screw 44. The bracket 36 is provided with alongitudinally extending hole or boring 45 within which is received apin 46 which pin at its lower end is adapted to engage or seat againsteither one of two flat portions 41, 48 of shaft 31. The pin 46 is shownin Fig. 3 seated against one such flattened portion 41 to retain thetransfer ring in the position shownin Fig. 3 with the 49 which is seatedwithin the boring 45 above the pin 46 and which spring is maintainedmore or less compressed by means of a screw 50 engaged in the upper,threaded portion of the boring 45.

In addition to the movements of the transfer ring on a horizontal axis,the said ring is also movable on a vertical axisdefined by the shaft 28,whereby the transfer ring may be swung from a position over the needlecylinder shown in Fig. 3, to a position shown in Fig. 6 substantially180 degrees removed from the first position.

When the transfer ring is moved from the position shown in Fig. 6 tothat shown in Fig. 3, the handle is grasped and the transfer ring 5 isfirst moved or rotated on a horizontal axis so as to lie in a planeabove that defined by the tops of the cylinder needles, and thereafterthe transfer ring is swung on a vertical axis to the position shown inFig. 3 and when so swung or moved the construction and relation of theparts and their operation is as follows:

A pin 5|, Fig. 6, moves substantially in the arc of a circle from theposition shown in Fig. 6 to that shown in Fig. 3, the arc of-the circlebeing indicated by dot and dash lines 52, Fig. 7. Near the end of itscircular movements the pin 5| engages an edge 53 which defines one sideof a slot 54 provided in a longitudinally siidable plate 55. The saidplate 55 is provided with longitudinal slots 56, screws or pins 51passing through said slots and into threaded engagement with a plate 58which plate is attached to a stationary upright bracket 59 as by screws60. To the plate 58 is also attached a rectangular piece 6| as by meansof a screw 6|, the piece 6| serving to guide the sliding plate 55 andalso to function in a manner hereinafter to be more fully described.When the pin 5| strikes the edge 53 of the plate 55 it cams or moves thesaid plate lengthwise of the slots 56 until the said pin engages an edge58' of the plate 58 which edge 58' serves as a stop to limit theswinging move-' ment of the transfer ring when the said transfer ring isproperly positioned over the needles of the needle cylinder. During itscircular movements along the dot and dash line 52 the pin 5| engages andwipes against a detent 62 which detent is pivoted to the plate 58'at 63,to which plate is attached at one end a coil spring 64, the

other end of said spring being attached to a pin 65 carried by an arm 66extending outwardly from the plate 58. Whenthe pin 5| finally reachesthe position of Fig. 4 it is centered, and

the transfer ring is prevented from movement by the said pin 5| beingretained between the edge 58' and a' bevelled edge 61 which forms theend of the detent 62. Although as stated the pin 5| is confined in theposition shown in Fig. 4, nevertheless engagement and movement of thebandle 35 suflices to turn the transfer ring and cause the pin 5| tomove the detent 62 against the tension of the spring 64 so that thetransfer ring may be swung from the position shown in Figs. 3 and 4.

Carried by an extension 'of the plate 55 is an upstanding pin 68 which,due to the pin and slot connection 56, 51, hereinbefore described, isadapted to move, by which movements the pin 68 is adapted to engage aninclined cam face 68 which terminates in a flat face 10. The faces 69and 18 constitute the lower faces of a block to which is attached avertically disposed rod I2 by means of a set screw 13. The rod 12 isadapted to be moved longitudinally, the lower end thereof passingthrough the circular base 2 and being supported for sliding movementstherethroughby means of a collar 14 and a sleeve 18. To the lower end ofthe rod 12 is afllxed a collar 18 by means of a. set screw 11. Engagingat one end the upper face of the collar 18 and at its other end thelower face of the sleeve 18, is a-coil spring 18. The coil spring 18normally tends to lower the rod 12 and thereby the block 1i,consequently maintaining the block 1| in the position shown in Fig. 8until the said block is engaged and raised by the pin 88 in the mannerhereinbefore described.

The hereinbefore described movements of the pin 5i from the positionshown in Figs. 6, '1 to that shown in Figs. 3, 4 cause the plate 88 andconsequently the pin 88 to move from under the block I I, whereby thespring 18 depresses the rod 12 until a pin 18 depending from and carriedby an arm 88, which is in turn attached to the rod 12 as by means of aset screw 8I (Figs. 3 and 6) seats in a hole 82 provided in theso-called ring gear plate 88, the pin 18 remaining in an elevatedposition until the needle cylinder is turned to such a position that thehole 82, and a recess or hole 84 in the ring gear 85, register,whereupon the spring 18 causes the pin 18 to drop or snap into the hole84 in the ring gear and thereby lock the needle cylinder and transferring in the desired relative positions for transfer.

In addition to guiding the plate 65 in its sliding movements therectangular piece 8i also serves, by engaging the block 1i, to preventthe same from turning on a vertical axis.

From the foregoing description it will be understood that the transferring, at the completion of transfer, may be, by engaging the handle 35,rotated, first, on a vertical axis until the said transfer ring isdisposed in the circumferential relation with respect to the needlecylinder shown in Figs. 6 and 7, the said transfer ring then beingadapted to be moved on a horizontal axis to the position shown in saidfigures, whereby another ribbed top may be transferred to the points 8of the transfer ring. Thereafter, when a stocking has been knitted andthe needles 8 are moved to the position shown in Fig. 3, the transferring with a ribbed top (not shown) carried thereby may be, first, ro-

' tated on a horizontal axis as hereinbefore described, and then swungon a vertical axis until the transfer ring is in a position shown inFig. 3, whereupon engagement of the pin 5| with the plate 55 causes thepin 88 to be moved out from engagement with the flat face 18 of theblock 1| so that the spring 18 may cause the pin 18 to snap into therecess or hole 84 when the needle cylinder 4 and 5) by means of a detent88 which is pivotally mounted upon the upper face of the transferringbracket 8' and on a pin or screw 81 which passes through an eccentricsleeve 88 which is provided with a head 88. The eccentric sleeve 88passes through a holeprovided in the detent 86 and, when the screw 81 isloosened, the eccentric sleeve 88 may be turned manually so that thedetent 88v may be properly seated in position for a purpose hereinafterto be described. When'the eccentric 88 is properly positioned, the screw81 is tightened whereupon the eccentric is locked or prevented fromturning. A coil spring 88, which has an end in engagement with a pin 8Icarried by and adjacent to the free end of the detent 88, is coiledaround the eccentric 88 between the collar or shoulder 88 and theupperface of the detent 88, whereby an end 82 of the said detent is adaptedto engage within a notch 83 subsequently cut in the periphery of a ring84 which is mounted upon the upper face of and is attached'to thetransfer ring 8 as by screws 88. By "subsequently cut" is meant cutsubsequently to the applying of the transfer mechanism to a knittingmachine and before tops are transferred to the needles, the detent 82and notch 88 thereafter maintaining the transfer ring and needles 8 inalignment throughout subsequent transferring operations after suchalignment has once been definitely determined or established by movingthe ring 84 and transfer ring by means of a handle 88.

The transfer ring has been hereinbefore referred to generally by thereference numeral 5 although, as shown in Fig. 2, the said transfer ring5 includes transfer points 8 which are retained in position by means ofa ring 81, the said ring 81 and points 8 being centralized by means of adepending, cup-shaped flange 88 of the transfer bracket 8' which engagesa flat face 88 of the ring 81.

In Figs. 9, 10, 11, 12, 13 and 14 there is disclosed a transfer meansmodified somewhat with respect to thathereinbefore disclosed. In thesaid figures is shown a needle cylinder I88 which corresponds to theneedle cylinder I hereinbefore disclosed although it is somewhat longerso that Jacks may be used to select needles as desired for variouspurposes. The needle cylinder is mounted upon a circular base IM andmounted upon and carried by the said circular base is a modifled form oftransfer means designated generally by the reference numeral I82 andincluding a transfer ring I83 which is mounted within and carried by atransfer ring bracket I88. Within the transfer ring are mounted transferpoints I84 which are adapted to transfer stitches to needles I85 in themanner hereinbefore disclosed. A pedal or other means similar to thepedal I8, Fig. 1, is utilized to depress the transfer points I84 to theposition shown in Fig. 2, to transfer stitches to the needles I85, thepedal or other means acting to pull down or depress a link I88. The linkI88 is connected to a rod I81 to the upper end of which is connected abracket I88 by means of a set screw I88, the said bracket being bored orrecessed and receiving therein the upper end of the rod I81. Ahorizontally disposed portion of the bracket I88 is provided with a holeextending therethrough and received therein is a shaft II8, one end ofwhich projects through the said horizontal portion of the bracket I88,to which end is aflixed the bracket I88, a shoulder or flange III of thesaid bracket and a washer I l 2 engaging opposite faces of an extensionof the said bracket I 88'. The

shaft II8 passes through an elongated slot provided in said extension ofthe bracket I83, the said shaft II8 being adjustablyretained in adesired position longitudinally of the slot by the shoulder III engagingan adjacent face of the bracket I88, while the washer II2 engages theother face thereof, a nut I I8 causing the shoulder III and washer I I2to engage opposite faces of the bracket extension and maintain the samein the desired position of vertical adjustment with respect to, thecylinder needles. The coil spring II4 at one end engages shoulder IIIand at its other end bears against an adjacent face H5 of the bracketI08 and thereby maintains the transfer bracket I03. in an outwardposition, i. e., away from the bracket I08. The other end of the shaft II0 has attached thereto by means of a set screw II 6 a centering head II1, which head is.

provided with projections II8 having flats and with recessed'portionsN9, the projections II8 being adapted to seat in correspondingly shapedrecesses provided in the bracket I08, while the recesses are engagedbycorrespondingly shaped projections on the bracket I08. The head II1,which is in the form of a sleeve, is prevented from moving lengthwise ofthe shaft IIO .by means of a cap plate I20 which is retained in positionagainst the outer face of the head II1 as by means of a set screw I2Iwhich passes through the said cap I20 and into threaded engagement withthe shaft H0.

To provide for movements of the transfer ring I03 and the bracket I03 ona vertical axis, a bracket plate I22 is made fast to the shaft I01 as bymeans of a set screw I23. Through outer or peripheral portions of thebracket or plate I22 there pass two pins or rods I 24, I25. Engaging thelower face of the plate I22 is a coil spring I26 which at its other endis in engagement with a plate I21 which is attached to and carried bythe circular base IOI. Mounted upon and slidably connected to the plateI21 is a plate I28 which is provided with slots I29 through which passpins or screws I30 and by means of which the plate I28 is slidablyattached to the plate I21. The plate I28 is provided with a recess I3Iwhich is adapted to be engaged by pin I25 when the transfer bracket I03' is moved from a position corresponding to that shown in Figs. 6 and7 to the position shown in Figs. 9 and 10, the pin during such movementsmoving in a circular path and by engaging an edge I32 of the notch I3I,causing the plate I28 to slide longitudinally to the position shown inFig. in. which position a pin I33 (Fig. 14), carried by the outer end ofthe plate, I28 moves from under a horizontal face I34 of a block I35.The block I35 is attached as by means of a set screw I36 to a short pinI31 to the upper end of which is also connected, as by means of a setscrew I38, an arm I39 which projects laterally (Fig. 10) from a positionadjacent to the outer periphery of the circular base to a positionadjacent to the needle cylinder and over a ring gear I40 which drivesthe needle cylinder in a customary manner. The end of the arm I39adjacent to the needle cylinder extends downwardly and carries, at theend of the extension, a pin MI. The pin I31 extends downwardly through ahole provided in the circular base and to the projecting end of the saidpin is attached a collar I42 as by means of a set screw I43. Bearingupon the upper face of the collar I42 is one end of a coil spring I44,the other end of which bears against a sleeve I45 which sleeve is partof a plate I46, the latter being attached to the circular base IOI inany suitable manner.

From the foregoing description it will be evident that when the pin I33is moved to the position shown in Figs. 10 and 14, the pin I31 andconsequently the arm I39 and pin I 4 I, are released and are thereafterunder the influence of the spring I44 which tends to move the parts in adownward direction, such movement being resisted by the ring gear- I40until a hole or recess ,and the pin I24.

I41 therein is brought around beneath the pin I 4|, when the needlecylinder is rotated after the transfer ring has been moved to theposition shown in Figs. 9 and 10, whereupon under the influence of thespring I44 the pin I4I snaps into the hole or recess I41 in the ringgear I40.

The positions of the parts as shown in the fragmentary views, Figs. 11'and 12, are the same as the positions shown in 'Figs. 9 and 10, whilethe fragmentary view shown in Fig. 13 corresponds to the circumferentialposition of the transfer ring shown in Figs. 6 and 7.

At the completion of the transferring operation which is accomplished bydepressing a pedal similar to the pedal I0, Fig. 1, the said pedal isreleased and thereupon the spring I26 raises the shaft I01, the transferring bracket I03. and transfer ring I 03 then again being in theposition shown'in Fig. 9, whereupon a handle I46 is gripped and thetransfer ring bracket I03 and transfer ring I03 are swung through anangle of approximately 90 degrees more or less, the pin I25 meanwhileengaging an edge I 49 which defines one side of the slot or recess I3I.Engagement of the edge I49 by pin I25 causes the sliding plate I to bemoved in such a manner that the pin I33 engages an inclined face I50 ofthe block I35 and thereby elevates the block as well as the.

parts connected thereto which include the pin I4I, whereby the said pinMI is removed from engagement with the recess I41 in the ring gear I40and the ring gear again permitted to revolve. Rotation of the transferbracket and consequently the pins I24, I carried thereby or movabletherewith, withdraws the pin I 24 from engagement with a centering notchI5I provided in the outer edge of an arc-shaped plate I52, which plateI52 is attached by means of a screw I53 to an arcuate upright plate I54integral with a horizontally disposed and arcuateplate I55. Plate I55,by means of screws I56 engaging slots I51 in said plate, is adjustablyconnected to a plate I58 which is attached to the underside of thecircular base IOI as by means of a screw I59.

The plate I58 additionally serves to provide a bearing and support forthe sleeve I45 which passes therethrough, and by means of an integralsleeve I60, which depends from the plate I58, also serves laterally tosupport the rod or shaft I01 which passes down axially through the saidsleeve The connection I53 between the plate I52 and the arcuate plateI54 is a pivotal one and when the pin I24 is in the position shown inFigs. 10 and 12 a leaf spring I6I, which is attached to the arcuateplate I54, at its upper end engages the inner edge of the plate or leverI52 and tends to rock that arm of the same outwardly and therebymaintain close engagement between the notch I5I When the transferbracket, and consequently the pin I24, are moved through an angle of 90degrees as aforesaid, the pin I24 forces the plate or lever I52 to theright, Fig. 12, against the tension of the spring I6I. The said springI6I, however, when the pins I 24 and I25 reach the position shown inFig. 13, tends to move the said plate or lever I52 in the direction ofthe said pin I25 and thereby maintains a firm engagement between the pinI25 and plate I52. Attached to the outer face of the arcuate plate I54byscrews I62 is a plate I63, on one end of which plate is provided avertical face I64 which acts as a stop to limit the throw or movement ofthe pin I24 in that direction, while an end I65 of plate I54, Fig. 13,with which the pin I 25 is in en- The means for adjusting the transferring circumferentially with respect to the needles prior to initiallytransferring rib tops to the needles,

is disclosed in Fig. 10 and is identical with the 0 means for the samepurpose which is designated.

in Figs. 3, 4 and 5 by the reference characters 85-96 inclusive.

Briefly summarized the transfer operation is substantially as follows:The transfer ring 5 and bracket 5' are moved from a position such asthat shown in Fig. 6, first, by engaging the handle 35 and moving thesaid transfer ring and bracket on the horizontal axis, the transfer ringand bracket then being swung on the vertical axis to a position such asthat shown in Fig. 3, themovement on the vertical axis causing the pin5| to move the plate 55 from the position shown in Fig. '7 to that shownin Fig. 4, whereupon the needle cylinder centering means, which includesthe pin 19, are released by withdrawal of pin 68 from engagement withthe cam H at 10 (see Fig. 8). Thereafter, unless the recess 84 is inregister with the pin 19, the needle cylinder is turned manually untilthe said recess 84 does register with the pin 19, whereupon the spring18 causes the said pin 18 to snap into the recess 84 thus locking theneedle cylinder and preventing inadvertent turning of the same. Finally,after the pin 19 by engaging the recess 84 has centered the needles ofthe needle cylinder with respect to their companion transfer points, theoperator depresses the pedal I0 which moves the'transfer ring 5 andbracket 5', against the tension of the spring II, from a position suchas that indicated in Fig. 3 to the position shown in Fig. 2, in whichlatter position'the stitches 8 are in position to be engaged by theneedles 9, when the stitches are removed from the transfer points bymeans specifically disclosed in Figs. 15-25 inclusive and hereinafter tobe described.

Although the brief description of operation has referred specifically tothe construction disclosed in Figs. 1-8 inclusive, nevertheless theoperation of transferring fabric by the mechanisms specificallydisclosed in Figs. 9-14 inclusive, is substantially the same.

Although the transfer mechanisms hereinbefore described, are preferablyused to transfer ribbed tops to circular hosiery machines of the Bannertype, their use is not necessarily so limited but they may be used withknitting machines of any type and for any purpose.

The form of transfer mechanisms specifically disclosed in Figs. 10-14inclusive is desirable when needle selecting jacks are located beneaththe needles and in the grooves of the-needle cylinder. When usingjacks,they are ordinarily removed and replaced by others, when 'a change inpattern is desired or for other purposes, adjacent to the place on thecircular base where the transfer mechanismsare attached to the saidcircular base. And in order to replace jacks, it is necessary todisconnect the transfer mechanisms so that the jacks may be readilytaken out and others inserted in their place within the grooves of theneedle cylinder. The transfer means specifically disclosed in Figs.10-14 readily lendsflit self to the replacement of jacks in that the-said transfer mechanisms may be disconnectedhirom the circular base byremovinga collar I68 which collar is normally retained in position onshaft" I01 bymeans of a set screw which terminatesin a handle I59.Removal of collar I68 fromshaft I01 permits the-transfer mechanism tobe-bodily removed from the machine. Y

InFigs. 1 and 15-25 inclusive there is specifically disclosed a meansfor engaging rib tops when they are initially transferred to the needlesof a knitting machine as by the mechanism hereinbefore described andspecifically disclosed in Figs. 1-14 inclusive, although the means(Figs. 15-25),

in addition to functioning in cooperation with the transfer mechanismshereinbefore described, also acts as a take-up in that it continues toengage the fabric and thereby tension the same throughout the knittingof the stocking.

The means which cooperates with the transfe means in the manner setforth, includes a rod I10 which depends from the circular base 2 beingsecured to the underside thereof as by means of a plate or bar "I whichplate or bar is connected to the underside of the base 2 by any suitablemeans. The lower end of the rod I10 is prevented from vibrating by meansof an arm "2 which is attached at one end to the rod I10 by, means ofnuts I13 in threaded engagement with a threadedend I14 of the shaft I 10and engaging between them the said arm I12. The other end of the arm I12is attached to the bracket I8 by balance weights such as I; while theother end of -the chain I18 is adjustably connected to a hook I8 I. Thehook I8I is, preferably, made of a piece of bent wire the end oppositethe hook being in the form of an eye encircling the threaded shank I82at one end of a short rod or pin I83 the other end of which pin is alsothreaded'and is removablyengaged by a head I84. The end I82 is inthreaded engagement with a lug I which is attached to and projectslaterally from a bracket which is slidably mounted upon rod I10. A

nut I81 is also in threaded engagement with the end I82 of the pin I83and serves to clampand hold, more or less rigid, the portion of the hookmember I8I that encircles the threaded end I82. Weights I88 may beremovably mounted upon the pin I83 if the character of fabric knittedrequires an extra amount of tension, the weights I80 serving tocounteract or counterbalance, to some extent, the weight of the bracketI 85 and parts carried thereby. However, both or either weights I80 andI88 may be dispensed with if desired.

As hereinbefore stated the bracket I 15, in addi-v tion to serving as ameans for supporting the pulley I11, also acts as a stop to limit theupward movements or throw of the bracket I85.

The bracket I 85, which supports web engaging means hereinafter to bedescribed, includes an elongated strip or shank portion both ends ofwhich are provided with arms I88 which straddle the rod I10, the armsI89 at each end of the bracket I86 being connected by means of plates Anarm I 82, connected to or integral with thebracket I89, projectslaterally therefrom intermediatethe ends thereof and is provided at itsouter end with an integral and downwardly ex-- tending sleeve I93through which passes a shaft I99 having at the lower end thereof awasher I95 which loosely encircles the shank of a screw I96 itself inthreaded engagement-with a hole provided in thelower end of the shaftI99. The washer I99 serves the purpose of limiting the upward movementof the shaft I99. A coil spring I91 at one endengages the upper face ofthe free end of the arm I92 and at its other end engages and tends toforce upwardly asliding rod or shaft I98 which passes upwardly through,and in its sliding movements is guided by, a sleeve I99 which sleeveconstitutes the lower extremity of a supporting bracket 299 upon theupper face of which are removably mounted, as by nuts 29I, upright posts292, the upper ends of which are bifurcated as at 293 (Figs. 22, 23) andbetween which bifurcations, arms or links 299 are pivotally mounted uponpivot pins or screws 29!. Each link 299 is notched on its underside asat 296, the purpose of the notches 296 being to permit the arms 299 toextend downwardly at the desired angle as shown in Fig. 22, in whichposition the lower portions of the lower cut-away edges 291 of the links299 seat against -the inclined seats 298 provided by the bifurcations293. To the free ends of the arms 299 are pivotally connected other arms299, the pivotal connections consisting of pins orscrews 2I9. The freeends of the arms 299 are serrated as at 2 to provide cloth-engagingteeth for effectively gripping the knitted stocking, half hose or otherfabric. The lower ends of the arms 299 are notched as at 2I2 and withinthe said notches is seated a coil, compression spring 2I3 which tends tomove the lower ends of the arms inwardly, i. e., towards the center ofthe bracket 299, the lower ends of the said arms 299 being notched as at2I9 which notches interlock with corresponding notches 2 I5 provided inthe peripheral edge of a plate 2I6. The plate 2I6 is attached to theupper surface of the shaft or sleeve I98 as by means of a screw 2I1. Ashereinbefore stated the spring I91 normally tends to move the sleeve I98to the position indicated in Fig. 15. When the sleeve I98 is moved fromthe position shown in Fig. 22 to that shown in Fig. 23 (whichcorresponds to the position shown in Fig. 15) the interengagements ofthe notches 2I9 and 2I5 causes the arms 299 to move upwardly from theposition shown in Fig. 22 to that shown in Fig. 23, in which latterposition the teeth 2 engage the fabric as indicated in Fig. 15.

Pivotally mounted upon the upper face of the arm I92 at'2I8 (Fig. 19) isa bell crank lever or detent 2I9 to one arm 229 of which is pivotallyconnected at 22I a locking pin 222, the said pin being urged towards thebracket I86 by means of a spring 223 coiled around the pivot 2I8, an endof said spring engaging under a pin 229 fast to and projecting laterallyfrom the other arm 225 of the detent 2 I9.

After the transfer ring bracket 5' has been moved to the positions shownin Figs. 1 and 2, the bracket I86 and parts carried thereby are raisedfrom the position shown in Fig. 20 to the position shown in Figs. 15 and16 by engaging the underside of the bracket 299, whereupon the pin 222(Fig. 19) which is normally seated within a hole 229 provided in theupper portion of the bracket I89, snaps into a recess 221 provided inthe upper portion of the rod I19, the forward movements of the pin 222into the recess 221 being caused by the aforesaid coil spring 223. Byelevating the the sleeve I98 in the relative position shown in Fig. 22not being of sumcient strength to cause the said sleeve I98 to move tothe relative position, with respect to the bracket 299, shown in Fig.23. With the pin 222 in engagement with the recess 221, the bracket I86is temporarily locked or retained in the position shown in Figs. 1, 15and 16. Immediately upon the pin 222 engaging in the recess-221, thebracket 299 is released, whereupon the weight of the same may cause itto move downward a slight distance, serrated ends 2| I of the arms 299thereupon moving to the position shown in Figs. 15 and 23, there bygripping the fabric 228 and pulling the same off the quills or transferpoints 6 and onto the needles 9. If the weight of the bracket 299 is notsuflicient to move the same to the position shown in Fig. 19, the saidbracket is moved to such posi-- whereby stitches are maintained underconstant tension and more uniform fabric is knitted.

At the completion of the knitting of the stocking or other fabric thebrackets I86 and 299 have reached the position shown in Fig. 20,whereupon the screw head I96 engages the upper face of a post 239 whichpost is shown as a continuation of rod I9 and is carried by and formspart of the basket 2|. The engagement between the screw I 95 and post239 causes the shaft I99 to be moved upwardly through the sleeve I93.Through the upper end of the shaft I99 (Figs. 22, 23 and 25) passes apin or screw 23I which pin also passes v through and longitudinallyslides in slots 232 provided in the sleeve I98 and extending lengthwisethereof. One end of the pin or screw 23I is in threaded engagement withsleeve I99 of the bracket 296, thereby connecting the said bracket 299with the rod or shaft I94, whereby longitudinal movements imparted tothe shaft I99 are transmitted to the bracket 299. Thus the aforesaidengagement of the post .239 with the screw I96 causes the rod or shaftI99 to move from the position shown in Fig. 23 to that shown in Fig. 22,whereupon the serrated ends 2 of the arm 299 drop from the positionshown in Fig. 23 and thus release their engagement with the fabric ofthe stocking or other fabric 228, whereupon the cycle of operation abovedescribed is repeated. In addition to providing a connection between theshaft or rod I99 and the bracket 299, the pin and slot connection 23I,232, functions circumferentially to position the plate 2 I6 and thusmaintain the slots or notches 2 I 5 therein in alignment with thecorresponding or companion arms 299.

While the grab take-up mechanism hereinbefore described is shown as usedin connection with other mechanism for transferring ribbed tops to theneedles of a needle cylinder, neverthefig-ehflVE been described indetail, nevertheless it is not the intention to limit the claims heretoappended otherwise than by the specific recitations less the take-upmeans may be used alone ifdesired. v i

Although in the foregoing description, certain of the elements andcombinations of the same.

in the claims themselves.

We claim:

1. Means for transferring fabric to the needles of a knitting machine,including transfer points, in combination with means for bodily movingthe transfer points upon-a vertical axis and also upon a horizontalaxis, the movements of the transfer points upon the two axes causing thesaid points to be moved from an initial position where they are clear ofthe needles of a knitting machine and point upwardly to receive thestitches of a fabric, to a position over the needles of a knittingmachine and with the transfer points extending in a downward direction.

2. Means for transferring fabric to the needles of a knitting machine,including transfer points, in combination with means for bodily movingthe transfer points upon a vertical axis and also upon a horizontalaxis, the movements of the transfer points upon the two axes causing'thesaid points to be moved from an initial position where they are clear ofthe needles of a knitting machine and point upwardly to receive thestitches of a. fabric, to a position over the needles of a knittingmachine and with the transfer points extending in a downward direction,and means thereafter adapted to move the transfer points to anoverlapping position with respect to the needles, whereby stitches maybe transferred to the needles.

3. Transfer mechanism adapted to transfer fabric to the needles of aknitting machine, including a support adapted to be attached to theframe of the knitting machine, said support providing a bearing, atransfer ring so mounted as to swing upon a vertical axis and beingsupported for such movements in the aforesaid bearing, the transfer ringwhen swung upon the axis adapted to move to and from a position directlyover the needles of a knitting machine, and means adapted, when thetransfer ring is positioned directly over the needle cylinder, to movethe points of the transfer ring to such a position that they overlap thesaid needles, whereby the latter may remove stitches from the points ofthe transfer ring.

4. Means for transferring fabric to the needles of a knitting machineincluding a ring having a circular series of transfer points mountedtherein, means for supporting the ring, the supporting meansbeingadapted to move upon 'a horizontal axis and thereafter upon a verticalaxis, in combination with means for centering and holding the transferring so that the transfer ring will remain, either in such a positionthat the transfer points extend upwardly or in such a position that thesaid transfer points extend downwardly.

5. Means for transferring fabric to the needles cf a knitting machineincluding transfer points and a support for the same, means forsupporting the transfer points to swing on a vertical axis for movementsto and from a position immediately above the needles of a knittingmachine, in combination with means for centering the transfer pointsdirectly over their companion needles so that the stitches carried bythe transfer points may be transferred to the needles.

6. Transfer means for transferring fabric to the needles of aknitting'machine consisting of transfer points and a support for thesame adapted to be moved on a vertical axis from one position to aposition where the transfer points are directly over the needles of aknitting machine, the supportforthe transfer points. when the saidtransfer points move from the first named position to the second namedposition; being adapted by its movements automatically to lock thetransfer points and needlesln such relative positions that each transferpoint registers with its companion needle. I. A transfer ring incombination with a knitting machine having a rotary needle cylindermounted therein, means for centering the needle cylinder with respect tothe transfer ring, means for mounting the transfer ring in operativerelation with respect to the needle cylinder of the knitting machine'sothat the transfer ringmay transfer stitches of a fabric to the needlesof a needle cylinder, such mounting permitting the transfer ring toswing in a horizontal plane, means movable with the transfer ring andother means adapted to hold the centering means out of operativerelation with respect to the needle cylinder, the aforesaid means whichis movable with the transfer ring adapted, when the transfer ring ismoved, to release the centering means for .the needle cylinder, wherebythe centering means lock the needle cylinder in such a position that thetransfer points and needles are in register so that stitches may betransferred to the needles.

8. A knitting machine having mounted therein a rotary needle cylinder incombination with a needle cylinder and means for moving the transferring to and from a position directly over the needles of the needlecylinder and with the transfer elements directed downwardly, from and toa position where the transfer elements project upwardly, the movement ofthe transfer ring to a position directly over the needles of the needlecylinder being on a vertical axis.

9. In combination: a. knitting machine and means for transferringvfabric to the needles thereof, the transfer means including points whichare adapted to hold fabric loops, and means for causing the transferpoints and needles to register so that fabric loops may be transferredfrom the points to the needles, and means adapted, when the points andneedles register, to pull loops from the transfer points onto theneedles, the said last named means thereafter adapted to tension theloops during the subsequent knitting of fabric.

10. A knitting machine including a needle cylinder, and means positionedwithin or beneath the needle cylinder said means being adapted to bemoved longitudinally of the needle cylinder and by such movement toengage a fabric top and thereafter to complete the transfer of the sameto the needles upon movement of the said means in a direction away fromthe loop engaging ends of the said needles.

11. A knitting machine including a needle cylinder and a base upon whichthe cylinder is mounted, in combination with a member carried by thebase and depending therefrom, and means slidably mounted on the memberto move to and from positions respectively within the needle cylinderand substantially spaced therefrom, detent means adapted to retain theaforesaid means in a position within the needle cylthe needle cylinderamazes of the aforesaid means adapted to release the engagement of thefabric by-the aforesaid means.

13. liknitting machine having in combination: means for transferringfabric to the needles of the knitting machine, and means adapted tocooperate therewith including elements for automatically engaging thefabric thereby,to complete the operation of transferring the fabric tothe said needles, the said means last mentioned thereafter acting as atake-up for the knitteu fabric.

ROBERT E. LAWSON. .mans'rm GAGNE.

